Thank You

You have never met Mr. Joe, but I wish you had. Mr. Joe was one of the best storytellers I have ever heard. Some of his stories were of the made-up variety, but most were from his life. He had the uncanny ability to make you laugh and cry through his humor and sweet personality. My favorite Mr. Joe stories always involved him laughing before he reached the punch line. I could sit and listen to this wonderful man laugh for hours.

​However, it was not his stories or his laughter that I enjoyed the most. To hear Mr. Joe pray was to hear God speak with one of His dearest friends. I am sure he attended to a daily prayer life, but it is what he did on Thursday mornings with other Methodists that never failed to make my heart smile. Mr. Joe, with his United Methodist friends, prayed for his neighbors and anyone else that needed some divine intervention. The sweetness of his prayers always included one element that I now try to include in my daily prayers: Thank you.

​Sometimes we can be so consumed with what we think we need, we forget what we have. It is easy to forget to tell God thank you for all the blessings He has given us, especially when we stay focused on the negative that all of us endure. The essential nature of prayer is not in asking for more, but in saying thank you for what we have. We miss this point because many times we confuse prayers with dreams.

What are you dreaming of today? Most of us have our hearts set on some magical event or item that will solve all of our problems. Maybe it is that new car or the perfect vacation. Maybe you are looking for that promotion at work which will validate all your hard work. Try this the next time you catch yourself frustrated with your dreams, say thank you for prayers already answered. Say thank you for the opportunities that God has given you and thank you for the blessings in others’ lives.

Also, pray daily and pray fervently. Don’t quit dreaming, dream about what God wants for you. Let your prayers and dreams be united in guiding your life into a deeper walk with God. Know that I and other United Methodists are praying and saying thank you for you today and every day. God bless you as you serve the people of Roswell and beyond. We can’t wait to see you on Sunday!!

In the hollow of His hands,